Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HARMONY (Innovating New Space Frontiers: Harmonised Federated and Fractionated Systems Unlocking Fresh Perspectives for Satellite Services)
Reporting period: 2022-09-01 to 2024-08-31
The growing demand for global connectivity, navigation, and climate monitoring has transformed the space sector. Innovations in digitisation, miniaturisation, and reusability, along with regulatory reforms and commercialisation, are driving rapid changes in New Space. As space infrastructure expands and congestion grows, the next evolution lies in integrating heterogeneous spaceborne assets. HARMONY aligns with the 6G vision to merge terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, enabling global, cost-effective coverage and unlocking the potential of space systems for services like Earth observation and navigation. HARMONY seeks to remove barriers between space missions, fostering a sustainable, multi-mission ecosystem. Its two core Innovation Objectives focus on combining wireless connectivity with sensing and imaging and promoting sustainable growth by reducing the environmental footprint of space missions. The project nurtures future leaders while driving the commercial viability of New Space by lowering barriers to entry and operational costs. HARMONY’s research centres on Fractionation, which distributes satellite functions across interconnected modules, and Federation, where satellites dynamically share resources via inter-satellite links. These approaches address bottlenecks in small satellite missions, such as limited processing power and beam capabilities. Combined with software-defined payloads, they enable scalable data processing and improved resolution through distributed antennas. FFSS architectures facilitate gradual deployment, maintenance, and replacement of satellites, significantly reducing environmental impact and costs while advancing space system capabilities. By bridging fractionation and federation, HARMONY provides transformative solutions for the evolving space economy.
The HARMONY project has focused on four key areas: (1) Future satellite missions: use cases, requirements, and design solutions; (2) Space system engineering; (3) Signal processing and waveform design; and (4) Antenna hardware design. Analyses of mission requirements, such as direct-to-device connectivity, were completed (Deliverable D1.1) alongside eco-design studies to reduce satellite carbon footprints (Deliverable D1.2). Fractionated satellite architectures were developed, demonstrating the potential of apertures and beam allocation to optimize communication. Progress in Model-Based and Concurrent Engineering tackled system complexity and sustainability. Signal processing advancements included Space Edge Computing (SEC) for in-orbit data processing and innovative multi-antenna algorithms for enhanced signal intelligence. In antenna design, active Direct Radiating Arrays (DRAs) and optimized inter-satellite link (ISL) architectures significantly improved small satellite communication capabilities. These innovations advance satellite system design, sustainability, and processing technologies, with several peer-reviewed publications published or in progress.
The HARMONY project delivers groundbreaking advancements in satellite system design, driving innovation in the space economy. Fractionated and federated satellite architectures enable distributed processing and gradual system deployment, optimizing resource allocation, reducing costs, and improving scalability. Space Edge Computing (SEC) introduces in-orbit data processing, reducing reliance on ground stations and supporting computationally intensive applications directly in space. In antenna hardware design, novel active Direct Radiating Arrays (DRAs) and optimized inter-satellite link (ISL) architectures address challenges in creating efficient, lightweight systems. These innovations enhance data rates and reliability for next-generation satellite constellations. Sustainability principles, including eco-design and life cycle assessments, further ensure alignment with environmental goals, setting new benchmarks for sustainable satellite design. To maximize impact, further research, demonstration, and funding are needed to scale these technologies. Supportive regulatory frameworks, standards, and IPR protection will facilitate market access and ensure technology transfer, strengthening Europe's leadership in the global space economy. Through these achievements, HARMONY lays a foundation for sustainable growth and innovation, addressing key challenges in scalability, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.